Thousands of Indian citizens, on September 9, expressed their dissatisfaction with the BJP government under the hashtag #9Baje9Minute . The call for the symbolic protest, first given by former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav, was soon endorsed by various groups, political parties, and opposition leaders. The protest aimed to raise the question of rising unemployments and the failing economy, especially after the GDP contracted by 23.9%.
सिंहासन ख़ाली करो कि जनता आती है। #9बजे9मिनट pic.twitter.com/1w7k2AdyEV
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) September 9, 2020
The symbolic act of turning off lights for 9 minutes at 9 PM and instead lighting candles etc, was a play on earlier mobilisations of the people during lockdown by PM Modi. PM Modi had earlier given calls to bang thalis, turn off lights, and so on at specific times. This act was used as a distraction from the issues facing the country in the pandemic, including the lack of equipment and protection for frontline workers.
Change the world by being yourself.
We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.
……. Demand of Youths ……#StopPrivatisation_SaveGovtJob@narendramodi#9Baje9MinuteIndia #NoMoreBJP pic.twitter.com/KGr5l6Z5sD— Rahul Panday (@rkpandayjee) September 9, 2020
#9Baje9MinuteIndia
? students not getting job
? Students forced for exams
?GDP -23.9%
?150 million people unemployed
?2 years ssc results pending
?Covid cases daily hike
~88k/d
?Privatisation of govt jobs
? Students and Farmer commit sucides #NoMoreBJP— ????? ?????? (@fahamabbasi) September 9, 2020
The hashtag #9Baje9Minute has been trending along with the hashtag #NoMoreBJP as people criticise the government for privatisation, the lack of jobs, its unsatisfactory handling of the pandemic as COVID-19 infections are on the rise, inflation in food and essential goods prices, the decision to hold NEET-JEE exams in spite of widespread opposition from students, and the spreading of propaganda by media channels.
#9बजे9मिनट #9Baje9MinuteIndiaStop And a life of dignity for all..Jobs for all.. #Savegovtjob pic.twitter.com/oRcT1k8EE7
— ShaguftaRafique (@shufta20) September 9, 2020
His Claim: He sold “Tea” many many years ago;
His Action: now.He is selling Air India, BPCL, Indian Railways.list goes on.
His Plan: Hope & pray in future, he will not sell our country. #StopPrivatisation_SaveGovtJob #9Baje9Minute
~ AIRAAA ?✊ pic.twitter.com/QWGazLyPPt
— ASHISH SINGH (@ashishsingh9591) September 10, 2020
The government has recently announced that barring 18 strategic sectors, all other sectors will be completely privatised, and the rest will have increased privatisation. This has already been opposed strongly by workers organizations and Adivasi groups, but now it is the general public, and especially the youth which is expressing its opposition as privatisation will directly impact employment and access to services for a large part of the population.
Youth raising voices for employment.#9बजे9मिनट#SpeakUpForJobs #9बजे9मिनटयुवाओंकीबात#9Baje9Minute #9Baje9MinuteIndia pic.twitter.com/RL9ewXFiV6
— Delhi Youth Congress (@DelhiPYC) September 9, 2020
The government is willingly sacrificing the economy for the profit of a handful of industrialists, as Amit Bhaduri writes,
“Liberalization is the name of the game. Indeed it is the only game in town this government wants to continue to play by giving unstinted support to big industrialists. No matter lockdown or pandemic, it changes labor and environmental laws to help the industry. It gave them tax break in terms of foregone government revenue which is almost double the money it spends today on MGNREGA. It turns a forgiving eye to the known looters of bank money.”
Babasaheb Ambedkar went on to say that fight for your right. Be organized #StopPrivatisation_SaveGovtJob #9Baje9Minute #9बजे9मिनट #BSNL_PRIDE_OF_INDIA#BSNL4GNow
pic.twitter.com/eriRBgnvsF— bhanu priya sv (@bhanupriyasv) September 9, 2020
No jobs, no vote…#9बजे9मिनट #9Baje9Minute pic.twitter.com/In5yvzN6vO
— Amit Mishra (@Amitjanhit) September 9, 2020
To Wake Up the Deaf & Insensitive Government
#9बजे9मिनट #9Baje9Minute pic.twitter.com/5Vz2rOg3Qw— Er Alok Kumar (@Alok7992) September 9, 2020
#9बजे9मिनट
I stand with unemployement youth of India.
You can make fool media but not youth. #9Baje9Minute pic.twitter.com/vlEzODfFbL@PMOIndia @OfficeofSSC pic.twitter.com/11lBpwDBZC— बेरोजगार Ravi Kumar (@RaviKum98733327) September 9, 2020
